Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: image forming units provided detachably and each having a developing roller for supplying a toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a charged photoconductor drum to form the electrostatic latent image into a visible image; an endless intermediate transfer belt which is provided in such a manner as to be capable of abutting against the photoconductor drum and is adapted to rotate in loop form by being supported in a tension-adjusted state by a plurality of rollers, and onto which a toner image developed on the photoconductor drum is transferred; and a high-voltage unit which is electrically and mechanically connected to the image forming units through terminals to supply predetermined electric power to the photoconductor drums, chargers, and the developing rollers of the image forming units. The image forming units are arranged to be moved in a width wise direction of the intermediate transfer belt so as to be connected to the high-voltage unit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.[0002]In an image forming apparatus adopting the electrophotographic process, it has conventionally been practiced to charge a photoconductor, i.e., an image carrier, with a charger, form a latent image by irradiating the charged photoconductor with light corresponding to image information, develop this latent image by a developing unit, and transfer the developed toner image onto a recording medium, so as to form an image.[0003]On the other hand, in conjunction with a trend toward the coloring of images, a color image forming apparatus of a tandem type has also been proposed. This color image forming apparatus of this type has a plurality of image forming units which perform such image forming processes. Toner images of the respective colors of a cyan image, a magenta image, a yellow image and preferably a black image are formed on respective photoconductors. These toner images are subseque...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which makes it possible to allow the photoconductor to be brought into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer member with a uniform pressing force.

[0020]Another object of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which, makes it possible to reduce the number of component parts ranging from the electric supply means to the charger and is capable of stably supplying electric power from the electric supply means to the charger.

[0024]According to this arrangement, a feed line leading from the main body-side conductive member to the charging means is formed by only the coil spring and the bearing, so that it becomes possible to reduce the number of component parts.

[0026]According to this arrangement, the distal end of the main body-side conductive member and the connecting slot member of the coil spring are fitted in the connecting slot member, and are thereby electrically connected to each other. Therefore, their respective free movement is restricted by the connecting slot member, and the state of their mutual contact is stabilized, making it possible to stably supply electric power from the electric supply means to the charger.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, it becomes difficult to make uniform the pressing balance of the photoconductor drums 2a to 5a with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 7.

Hence, a difference in density occurs in the developed toner image, so that it is impossible to obtain a high-quality printed image.

However, in the above-described construction, the number of component parts ranging from the electric supply means to the charger becomes numerous, resulting in higher cost.

In that event, noise can occur due to friction during movement, thereby rendering stable supply of electricity impossible.

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